> In this case, it probably also improves usability, because there's less visual noise connected to those buttons
Yes, because there are no buttons anymore, just icons. Icons are not button. Icons are icons, buttons are buttons
> which lets you draw attention to buttons the user might not already know about using the same technique while staying within a certain 'visual noise budget'.
That "visual noice" is the zone where you can click on a button. I also don't believe that "visual noise budget" thing at all. Maybe it helps a bit first time users, but most software shouldn't optimize for first time users. I'll add that not everyone has a perfect eyesight or perfect mouse control. That new style is bound to be frustrating for a few people.
> Users expect that icons on the header bar are buttons (what else would they be?), so there's no need to call attention to that fact with an extra visual indicator.
Actually, having fallbacks and multiple ways to signal something is a great thing. For example, if you only use color to indicate something, colorblind users may have a hard time using it. Icons and tooltips when you hover over it is also a good way to achieve that.
> "Following trends" is a good thing because users appreciate when a piece of software looks like software they're already familiar with. It is maybe slightly annoying to people who already are used to the software, but every new user benefits from it.
So they're focusing on new users instead of people that actually use their software. I don't see how that is a good thing. If this was just one change, I may agree with you, but this is a sign of a larger trend of constantly changing interfaces for absolutely no benefit to the user.
Yes, because there are no buttons anymore, just icons. Icons are not button. Icons are icons, buttons are buttons
> which lets you draw attention to buttons the user might not already know about using the same technique while staying within a certain 'visual noise budget'.
That "visual noice" is the zone where you can click on a button. I also don't believe that "visual noise budget" thing at all. Maybe it helps a bit first time users, but most software shouldn't optimize for first time users. I'll add that not everyone has a perfect eyesight or perfect mouse control. That new style is bound to be frustrating for a few people.
> Users expect that icons on the header bar are buttons (what else would they be?), so there's no need to call attention to that fact with an extra visual indicator.
Actually, having fallbacks and multiple ways to signal something is a great thing. For example, if you only use color to indicate something, colorblind users may have a hard time using it. Icons and tooltips when you hover over it is also a good way to achieve that.
> "Following trends" is a good thing because users appreciate when a piece of software looks like software they're already familiar with. It is maybe slightly annoying to people who already are used to the software, but every new user benefits from it.
So they're focusing on new users instead of people that actually use their software. I don't see how that is a good thing. If this was just one change, I may agree with you, but this is a sign of a larger trend of constantly changing interfaces for absolutely no benefit to the user.